Columbia River above the Hwy 395 Bridge at Pasco Steelhead Fishing Rules Revised

January 28, 2003

January 28, 2003

Columbia River above the Hwy 395 Bridge
at Pasco Steelhead Fishing Rules Revised

Actions: Open the Columbia River for the retention of all marked, hatchery
origin steelhead from the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco to the Old Hanford
townsite wooden powerline towers.

Effective date: January 29, 2003, through March 31, 2003

Species affected: Hatchery steelhead.

Location: The lower half of the Hanford Reach (Columbia River) from
the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco to the Old Hanford townsite wooden powerline
towers upstream of the Ringold Springs Rearing Facility.

Reason for action:Large numbers of surplus hatchery steelhead are expected
to return to Ringold Springs Rearing Facility, harvest of these fish will not impact
upper Columbia River wild steelhead recovery. Steelhead destined for the Upper
Columbia River have cleared this area and there is no need to continue the
requirement that only fish with both adipose and ventral fin clips can be
harvested. Hatchery steelhead containing a disk tag may also be harvested.

Other information: Anglers are only permitted to harvest hatchery steelhead. Hatchery steelhead are identified by a missing adipose or ventral fin and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin(s). There is a two fish daily limit, 20-inch minimum size. All wild steelhead must be released immediately unharmed.

Information contacts: Paul Hoffarth, District 4 Fish Biologist (509) 545-2284 (Pasco) or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager (509) 457-9330 (Yakima).

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing-hotlines to find a list of mobile, web, print, or customer service phone options for the latest rule information.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.